The singularity of my adventure made me determine to conceal it from
every one, since I could not expect that a circumstance so strange
should gain credit. I was very uneasy about Agnes. I knew not what She
would think at not finding me at the rendezvous, and dreaded her
entertaining suspicions of my fidelity. However, I depended upon
Theodore’s discretion, and trusted that my letter to the Baroness would
convince her of the rectitude of my intentions. These considerations
somewhat lightened my inquietude upon her account: But the impression
left upon my mind by my nocturnal Visitor grew stronger with every
succeeding moment. The night drew near; I dreaded its arrival. Yet I
strove to persuade myself that the Ghost would appear no more, and at
all events I desired that a Servant might sit up in my chamber.
The fatigue of my body from not having slept on the former night,
co-operating with the strong opiates administered to me in profusion,
at length procured me that repose of which I was so much in need. I
sank into a profound and tranquil slumber, and had already slept for
some hours, when the neighbouring Clock rouzed me by striking “One”.
Its sound brought with it to my memory all the horrors of the night
before. The same cold shivering seized me. I started up in my bed, and
perceived the Servant fast asleep in an armed-Chair near me. I called
him by his name: He made no answer. I shook him forcibly by the arm,
and strove in vain to wake him. He was perfectly insensible to my
efforts. I now heard the heavy steps ascending the staircase; The Door
was thrown open, and again the Bleeding Nun stood before me. Once more
my limbs were chained in second infancy. Once more I heard those fatal
words repeated,
‘Raymond! Raymond! Thou art mine!
Raymond! Raymond! I am thine! &c.——’
The scene which had shocked me so sensibly on the former night, was
again presented. The Spectre again pressed her lips to mine, again
touched me with her rotting fingers, and as on her first appearance,
quitted the chamber as soon as the Clock told “Two.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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